Upper-shaping machine



M. BROOK.

UPPER SHAPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 191a.

Patented May 2, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

TS E M. BROOK.

UPPER SHA'PING MACHINE.

APPLICATION EILED MAY 4, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MAKE/V7172?- I I Patented May 2, 1922.

M. BROOK.

UPPER SHAPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FlLE'D MAY4,19l8.

w a Z 7 m 1 m W 3 M M Am 1 m 2 w x w 0 w Lu I M @c w. 7 M m o m N M H m 0 5 n 7 V m M N P U M 6 N a 1 MW 1 i m. Q

6 4 1 J 1 8 9 a w 4 Wm 1 1 4 1 M. BROCK.

UPPER SHAPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1918.

1,414,498. v Patented May 2,1922. 7

27 77? I I 176 I I ATENFT omen.

MATTEIAS BROOK, 0E :eosr'on, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY oonronarron, or PATERSON, NEW J RSEY, A conronarron OF NEW JERSEY.

iAHAQS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHIAs Bnoox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of. Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Upper-Shaping Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to upper shaping machines and is herein shown as embodied in a machine adapted, among other uses, for forming uppers as a preliminary operation to the operations of pulling-over and lasting, or preliminary to lasting in case the pulling operation, as such, is omitted.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine which will so effectively stretch and shape an upper at its toe portion that the work of pulling-over the upper will be greatly facilitated and that the lasting operation may be more expeditiously and effectively performed, particularly when the up-' per stock is of heavy and resistant leather or. other material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which, under favorable conditions, will so stretch and form the upper at the toe end that the pulllng-over.

operation may be dispensed ,with and the upper may be lasted by an automatic or other toe lasting machine, or by the use of which the upper may be so formed as to require no further shaping over the toe.

- In machines of this type as frequently constructed, the inside former, about which the upper is shaped, normally projects above the plane in whichthe marginis to be confined and the upper, in belng presented between the confining means, has its body portion raised by the former relatively to the marginal portions before it is clamped, this effect'being known as humping the vampor upper. If, with the work in this position,

an attempt is made to seize the upper by relative movement of the confining members, the upper may be foreshortened, that is, may draw back somewhat out of the confining means before it is clamped.

A a feature of this invention. consists in UPPER-SHAPING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 2, 1922.

Application filed may 4, 1918. Serial No. 232,525

means for preventing the drawing back of the upper at the'toe end and as shown herein comprises a member yieldingly upheld above the face of one of the confining members in position to engage the end of the upper and force it against the face of the other confining member at the beginning of the operation of the machine so that the upper will be held from withdrawing longitudinally from the confining means during the movement thereof to confine the upper margin and the upper will be caused to be means moverelatively. As shown herein, the

yielding means for holding the upper at the toe end is depressible to permit the upper engaging face to assume a position flush with the face of the lower confining member and to form a part of it during subsequent forming operations. Preferably, a plurality of means for engaging and holding the upper at the end of the toe is provided, which means may engage the upper at first simultaneously and'then yield up the stock successively as the forming operation proceeds. This means may comprise, as shown, yielding sections of the upper confiningmeans with means for distributing and equalizing the holding pressure between them. The

upper engaging faces of the sections are dife ferently formed, for example, one with ribs and another with teeth, and more holding pressure'may, as in the construction shown, be applied to one of the sections, for example, the, toothed section, than to the other. The result of this arrangement is to effect a strong preliminary pull lengthwise of the upper when it is engaged. by both of the'seo .tions' and a lesser pull after the up er has been withdrawn from one of them. referably, a rigid portion of the confining means,

,the operation, a more *positive confinement of the upper.

Another feature of the invention consists in means arranged to act, after the prelimiat the toe by a rigid rib.

nary longitudinal stretching of the upper is" effected and before'general confinement of the upper about the whole toe takes place, to tension the upper radially of the toe curve, for example, at a corner of the toe. Preferably,.one,of these corner stretching means is located at each corner of the toe, and each is arranged to yield into the confining means to allow a'portion of the confining means, for example, arib thereon between said means and the former, to come into engagement with the upper at that point. Furthermore,

the corner stretching means co-operate with the confining means to effect a'more secure holding of the upper at the corners of the toeto cause, a'g'r'eater stretching efiect to be secured at the corners than at'other portions of the upper margin.

Another feature of the inventionconsists in a plurality of'ribs arrangedon the confining means in substantially parallel rela tion to the sides of the former,the ribs being more numerous about the toe end of the eonfining means. Preferably, the ribs have rigid sections interspersed with yielding sections and the rigid section of one rib is arranged to overlap or break joints with the yielding section of another rib so'that,'in

the final action of the confining means, the upperhis held at all points about the upper As shown herein, there are three ribs, the intermediate rib being shorter than the other two and located about the end of the toe to obtain a greater holding effect upon the upper about the toe end than at other parts of the toe.

Anotherfeature of the invention consists in means on the confining means for distributing the upper fullness and determin ing the location of the folds'in theupper ,in its passage through the confining means.

As shown, this means may comprise radial ribs on one of the confining means located is so as to be engaged by the toe end of the upper, V g c A Another feature of the inventlon consists in means for controllingv the movement of the upperin the direction of the tip line and for feeding it ltoward the former during the upper forming operatlon. Means may advantageously be combined wlth said control ling means for,advancing portions of the upper at the end of the tip seam toward the endof thetoe of the former and relatively thereto. Asshown herein, grippers are arranged to be closed by operation of the confining means and are operated by relative movement of the confining means and the former to feed the stock at the tip seam laterally of the former and obliquely toward the toe of the former. Preferably, the jaws of the grippers which engage the outside of vvthe upper leather are toothed and the jaws which engage the lining,'if any,'are rela tively smooth so that during'the forming of the toe.

operation the upper leather at the tip line willbe held more firmly than the lining, and the lining may readily slip from the jaws when sufficient tension has been applied thereto, the upper leather at the same time being held by the toothed jaws and more strongly tensioned before slippage is'per-r 'mitted. a

' Another feature of the invention consists in improved means for applying pressure to the top of the upper to hold it against displacementrelatively to the former and prevent, for example, bowing of the tip seam. As herein shown, this means applies a powerful pressure yieldingly to the upper on the former over a substantial areaof'the toe including the tipseam and excluding-the high part of the toe, and connections are provided for allowing the pressing meansto move with the former, said" connections "operating at a different rate than the former so thatthe holding pressure on the upper is controlled and may, for instance, be caused to increase as the forming operation'yproceeds. Preferably automatic means is provided for causing release of the' 'pressing means at the end of the forming operation and for moving it out of the way, the press-V ing means remaining in inoperativeposition until manually moved into operative position for thenext operation of'the machine.

Another feature of the invention consists in im roved means for ressin or wi Jin b b the upper against the'end andsides of'the former during the forming operation. As shown herein, the pressing means'comprises parts pivoted together and having faces contoured to fit the end and sides of the'former. The machine is organized to advance the pressing means yieldingly againstthe means and'the former perpendicular to the bottom of the former, the upper is wiped or ironed heightwise'of the former in a direction towardthe bottom of the former, and when relative movementceasestemporarily, the upper is held'clamped to the former, even thouglrwithdrawn from the confining means, to hold" the upper in tensioned condition for a period to allowthe been formed.

These and other features of the invention upper to set in theshape'into' which it has will appear more fully from the following will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, I

Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine,

certain-parts being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view showing the arrangement of the cams from which the operative movements of the machine are derived;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the upper portion of the machine on an enlarged scale, parts being broken away better to show the upper forming mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the top portion'of the upper confining means;

Fig. 5 is a plan vlew of the lower portion of the upper confining means;

Fig. 6 is a front view of a portion of the machine;

detailed sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the former.

In the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates the lower part of the frame of the machine, and the numeral 3 the upper part which is rigidly secured to the lower part. In the frame 2 are journaled three shafts, 4,

5 and 6. On the shaft 4 is a driving pulley 8 to which power is applied to drivethe machine. The shaft 4 carries apinion engaging a large gear on the shaft 5 which in turn has a pinion meshingwith a gear 12 on the shaft 6. While the reducing gear between the shaft 4 and the shaft 6 is not fully shown in the drawings, its arrangement and purpose will be readily/understood. As shown in Fig. 2, the machine is dupleX-two distinct upper forming mechanisms being operated from the shaft 6 and the operating parts of these mechanisms being symmetrically arranged with respect-to the central gear 12. The parts shown at the left of Fig. 2 will be particularly described with reference to the mechanisms shown in other views for operating upon an upper intended for the leftfoot, it being understood that the mechanisms upon the r ht side ofthe machine are simi-j larly and symmetrically designed and varranged for forming an upperfor the right foot. Upon the left hand portion of the shaft6 is a sleeve 14 to which are fixed several cams to bereferred to for operating various parts of the machine. Clutch mechanism of any suitable construction is provi'ded between the gear 12 and the sleeve 14 for causing rotation ofthesleeve, the operating cycle of which preferably takes place in two steps under the control of a' treadle 16, the right hand side of the machine being independently controlled by a similar treadle. j

At the front of the machine (Fig. 1) is of the post 20, which means comprises a sleeve 27 rotatably mounted on the lower portion of the postand having threaded. engagement with its upper portion.

y turning the sleeve 27 the length ofthe post 20 -may be varied, the' adjustment being maintained by a set nut 29. The upper end of the post 20 carries an inside former 30 having the shape of the forepart of a left shoe, as shown in Fig. 8. In this former 30, the characteristics of the last for which the upper is to be formed may be exaggerated, for instance, the height of the toe may be increased so as to over-mold an upper and cause it to fit more readily a last having a toeof less height than the fromer.

Embracing the post 20 and arranged for movement in the same direction, is a slide 32, upon the upper end of which the lower part of the means for clamping or confining the margin of the upper is mounted. The

slide 32 has a rearward projection 34 through which extends loosely a stud 35 pivoted to the forward end of a lever 36. The lever 36 is fulcrumed 011 the shaft 24 and has between its ends a roll engaging a path in a cam block 38 fixed on the sleeve 14 (Fig. 2). shoulder on the stud and the projection 34, is a spring 40 through which upward move ment is communicated yieldingly from the lever 36 to the slide 32.

The slide 32 has an inclined upper face (Fig. 3) provided with upstanding ears, 46, 48 at its ends, through which are threaded screws 50, 52 having conical ends which engage suitably formed recesses in a block 54 to permit tipping of the block about an axis extending lengthwise of the former 30. Set nuts 53, 53 are provided to hold the screws 50, 52 in adjusted position. By loosening the set nuts and turning both of the screws 50, 52, the block 54 may be adjusted lengthwise of the form. Over the block-54 is arranged the lower member 56 of the vamp or On the stud 35, between aupper confining or clamping means, of which Fig. 5 is a plan view. The block 54 has upstanding cars 58 at its sides which receive at right angles to each. other about which the lower member 56 of the upper clamping means may adjust itself to equalize the upper confining pressure applied byv forcing the member 56 upwardly against upper confina ing jaws 64, 66 arranged above it and later to be described. The member 56 has a notch or opening' of the shape of the former 30 (Hg-5'). The upper face of the member '56 may, as shown, have a separate upper confining or clamping plate 57 inserted therein and held by pins 59, the plate o7 being for-med wlth upper gripping and 1roning ribs arranged substantially parallel with the inner edge of'the member 56 and'comprising a rib 70 close to the edge of the member 56, a rib 72 spaced farther from'the rib 70 about the point of'the toe than at the sides of the toe, and an intermediate. rib'74 shorter than the other ribs and located between them about'the end of the toe. desired, of course,'the plate 57 and the ribs described. may be formed integrally with the -member 56.

"To effect a preliminary drafting of the upper longitudinally, sections of the ribs 70,. 7 4 at the end of the toe are formed on a separate piece 76 insertedin a dove-tail slot in the plate 57 and member 56 and upheld from beneath by a spring 78 (Fig. 7) which'acts againsta plate 80 on which the piece 76 The formation of'the piece 76' and I Still fartherfrom the end of the toe is another inserted piece 82 having a toothed or roughened upper engaging face and arranged also to rest' on the plate 8O. Theplate 80 can rock with relation to the'spring 7 8 and equalize pressure on he inserted pieces (6, 82, and, in case the upper 1S too short-to engage both of the pieces 76, 82 or after the upper has slipped from engagement with the piece 82, the spring 78 will still hold the piece '7 6 against theupper. The spring 78 may be arranged, as shown in Fig; 7, more nearly under the piece 82 so that greater holding effect will be secured'by the piece 82 than'by the piece 76. The pieces 76, 82

normally extend a substantial, distance above the face of the plate 57 sothatthey engage the upper and apply thereto longitudinal tension before the upper is engaged elsewhere about the toe, and by further movement of the member 56 toward the members the ribs 70, 74 to engage the upper. 1

' slightly below the plane of the faces of the At each of the corners of the toe is a spring plug 84 which has formed uponit portions These plugs are normally ralsed by suitable SPFHIQSSO that their upperof the ribs 72, 74.

faces extend above the plate 57 but in a plane pieces 76, 82. I The plugs '84engage the upper 60 has been drafted longitudinally by the at the corners of the toe after *the upperaction of the'pieces 76, 82 and act to effect preliminary drafting of the upper radially- "at the corners of the toe'before they are de- I "pressed-to allow other portions of the upper I upward movement.

confining ribs 72, 74 and the ribs to come I into. holding vengagement .with the upper. it will be-seen that, by this construction, the rigid-portions of the ribs break joints-so that at all points about the toe there'is some portion of arigid rib to, engagethe upper whenthe clamping or confining of the upper is, completely effected. ;At each side of the clamping piece ;82and between it and. the spring plugs .84 are arranged radial ribs 86 which act upon the upper to determinevthe number and location of thefolds in theupper as it is drawn through theconfining means and-to distribute the fullness ofthe upper about the end of thetoe. These ribs also assist'the ribs.70,. 72, and 74in eliminating;

the wrinkles in the upper as-the upper is drawn through them in the operation of the machine, will. be better understood: after the construction of the machine has been fully described. 7

The means for confining the upper comprises the parts carriedby the member 56 already described and the cooperating confining jaws 64, 66 above referred to, which will now be fullydescribed with'reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

.. vlvlounted in guides in' the upper portion 80f the frame is a slide arranged for movement longitudinally of the former '30 and parallel to the upper face of the plate 57. The slide 90 has a; U-shaped notch through which the former 30. may pass in its :On the lower face of the slide 90 is secured a. bracket 94 (Fig. 4)

which supports a pivot 96- about which mem bers 97, 98,'which carry the confining means 64, 66,:may turn. The forward ends of the members 97, 98'are provided with T-head projections which engage T-head guides 100 formed in the slide 90 about the pivot 96 as is a center. .The confining means 64, 66 are also mounted on the pivot 96 and are adjustablyheld to the -members 97, 98 by cap screws 102 arranged in countersunk. slots relativelyato the members 97, 98 for adjustv ment to accommodate different sizes 1 of 64', 66, are depressed against the spring 78 to permit therib 72 and other portions of forms. The members 97 98 are held toward each other byleaf springs 104 secured at 106 ito levers:108, .110 pivoted at 112, 114 tothe ends of a T-head 116 operated by a rod 118.

The rearends of the levers 108, carry on the T-headis secured to the slide 9Oand when the rod 118 is moved longitudinally -by means-tube described, the slide 90 is moved. toward ,the Zformer 30, the leaf springsv 104,- 104- acting yieldingly tohold ing means64, 661toward theformer in embracing relation thereto. Pressure of the thecontoured edge faces 65, 67 of the confin- 110 in the parts 64, 66. This construction en ables the parts 64,66 to be opened or closed.

. a direction heightwise of the former toward faces 65, 67 against the former may be varied by adjusting the screws 120, 122. The contoured faces 65, 67 press the; upper against the former 30, act to wipe the upper heightwise of the former, form ironlng means during the movement of the upper across them, and finally act as means for holding the upper against the former under tension after the upper is withdrawn from between the flat confining faces of the members. 64, 66 and the co operat ing means on the plate 57. The rod 118 is actuated by a bell crank lever pivoted at 130 (Fig. 3.), the vertical arm 132 of which has a pin and slot connection 134 to the rod 118 and the arm 136 of which is connected by an operating rod 138 to an arm 140 (Fig. 1) of a lever pivoted on the rod 24 to the frame 2 and having an arm 144 which carries a roll engaging a path in the cam block 146 fixed on the sleeve 14., To afford yielding connection between the rod 138 and the arm 140, a sleeve 145 is provided which is loose on the rod 138 and carries a pin ournaled in the lever 140. Between the sleeve 145 and a. nut 147 on the end of the rod is a spring 148 through which the arm 140 acts to effect ayielding downward pull on the rod 138. A nut 149 on the rod 138 above the collar 145 causes return movement of the arm 140 to be communicated positively to the rod 138, and the nuts 149, 147 afford means for adjusting the rod relatively to the arm 140 and for maintaining the spring 148 under any desired degree of tension. The earn 146 effects, through the spring 148, at the proper time in the cycle of operation of the machine, a forward movement of the slide .90 and causes the contoured faces 65, 67 of themembers 64, 66 to be pressed against the toe end of the former with a pressure determined by the tension and adjustment of the spring 148. The pressure of the faces 65, 67 against the sides of the former is independently and adjustably determined by the leaf springs 104, 104 and the screws 120, 122, and since these faces are yieldingly held toward each other continuously by the springs 104, 104, the faces 65, 67 vefiect a wiping. or ironing. of the upper lengthwise of the former as they are advanced into pressing relation to the end of the former.' This pressing action of the faces 65, 67 occurs before the movement of the former 3 0 is completed and hence the faces 65, 67 act to wipe or iron the upperin the bottom of theformer.

, Means is provided for seizing the upper at the ends of the tip seam and for'fe eding it laterally of the former 30 and obliquely toward thetoe of the former during the upper forming operation. This ineans' comprises grippers (Fig; 6) located at'each side of the toe and having upper and lower jaws 150, 152 respectively. The jaws 152 are arranged to slide in oblique T-guides 154 formed in the upper face of the member 56. The upper jaws are pivoted at 156 to the lower jaws and springs 158 are connected between pins 160 on the jaws and pins 163 on the block 54 to open the jaws. The upper jaws 150 enter recesses 162 in the confining means 64, 66 and plungers 166 (Fig. 4) operated by springs 167 (Fig. 3') mounted in the slide 90 and arranged'to engage the upper jaws 150 and force them yieldingly into engagement with the upper when the upper confining means are brought together. Preferably the upper jaws 150 are provided with teeth and the lower jaws are preferably smooth, as shown in Fig. 6, to afforda firm grip upon the upper and a less firm grip upon the lining, in case a lined upperis being treated. To move the grippers toward each other in the guideways 154, two levers 170, 172 are provided which are pivoted between their ends at 17 4 and 176 respectively to a part 33 secured at 37 to the slide 32. The lower ends of the levers have slots, the lower parts 173 of whiohare upwardly and inwardly inclined,

and the upper parts 177 of which are parallel after the full movement of the levers has been effected by the upward movement of pins 178, 178 which project forwardly through the slots from a, member 175 secured by a. set screw 17 9 to the plunger 20 that carries the former 30. Slots 180 in the upper ends of the levers 170, 172 are engaged by extensions of the pivot pins 156 of the upper jaws 150. When the plunger 20 is raised, the pins 178, 17 8 act on the inclined portions 173 of the slots in the levers 170, 17 2 to cause approaching movement of the upper ends of the levers and hence movement of the grippers toward each other laterally of the shoe toe and also, because of the inclined direction of the T-guideways 154, movement toward the end of the toe. Previously. of course, the grippers have been closed by being pressed upwardly against taining proper. tension on the stock in, the 1 direction of the tip line. At the sametime the inclination of the guides 154 causes the ends of the tip seam or tip line to beinoved toward the toe of the former to maintain the tip line in proper transverse relation to the former during the upper forming operation,

To further control the stock adjacent to thetip seam, a compression member 182 (Fig. 3) is provided whichco-operateswith" the former 30 and the grippers. The compression member 182 is angular in shape and face 183 for engaging the toe of the upperlOCally over the tip line, which face may be covered with leather or other suitable material. At its inner end, the member 182 is pivoted at 184 to. a plunger 186 .mounted for vertical movement in the frame 3. Fixed to the plunger 186 is an arm 187 between the end of which and the angle of the member 182 is connected a toggle 188,

plunger 186 is operated by means comprising an angle lever pivoted to the frame 3 at 196. One arm 197 of the lever has'a pin and slot connection with the plunger 186 (Fig. 3), the other arm 198 of the lever being connected by a link 200 to an upstanding arm 201 of an angle lever pivoted at 130 to the frame 3 and having its other arm 202 connected to a rod 204. The lower end of the rod (Fig. 1) has a yielding connection with an arm 206 of its operating lever, which .connection comprises a sleeve 210 loose on the rod 204 having pins engaging holes or notches in the bifurcated end of the arm 206; Between the sleeve 210 and a nut 212 on the arm 204 is a spring 214 which if may be held under any desired degree of the .former' when the former is raised.

:When straightened, the center of the toggle tension by a nut 216 on the rod 204. A downwardly projecting arm 208 of the operating lever206 has a roll engaging an edge cam on the cam block'38.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the former 30 is provided with a plate 31 having teeth arranged to project above the surface of the former'at its rear end. In case the operator is-treating particularly refractory uppers which show atendency to slip" toward the toe, he may, by holding the work against the teeth on the plate 31, ob

upper between the upper confining means "on the plate 57 and the confining means 64,

66 "and theportion of the upper at the tip 'line between the jaws 150, 152 of the grippers which are open andseparated as shown in Fig. 6. He then straightens the toggle 188, 189, causing the compression member 182 to be depressed into position to engage passes; slightlyfbeyond the position of alinement withftits endnpivotsso that it forms a rigidsupport for the compression ,member 1182 I against. upward movement, vexcept as such movement is permitted by movement of the plunger 186. He then depresses j confining means.

the treadle 16 which effects aconnection be tween the continuously driven gear 12 and the sleeve 14 carrying the cams by which the left hand side of the machine is operated. At first the post 20 and the slide 32 rise together causing the portion of the upper adjacent to the tip seam to be pressed against the member 182 and theyieldingly upheld pieces 76, 82 at the end of the toe to clamp the upper against the fiat lower face of the members 64, 66. By this move ment of the former. 30. against the member 182, the spring 214 may be somewhat compressed to hold the upper from slipping forwardly at the tip line. The former 30 now begins to rise relatively. to the slide 32, the slide 32 continuing to rise at a'l'ower rate. The initial position of the former 30 is such that the upper, in being placed "over the former and brought at its periphery between the confining means and between the. grippers, is humped over the former and the relatlve movement of the former and the toe end gripping members '76, 82

causes the upper to be brought down over the toe end of the former before the margin is elsewhere confined. In this operation,.folds of fullness may occur adjacent to the radial ribs, which ribs actto distribute this fullenss and co-operate with the confining means to eliminate it as the operation proceeds. This relative movement also causes theupperto be stretched longitudinally because of the holding action of the pieces'76, 82, and when a littlelater the spring plugs 84] engage the upper at the corners of the toe, the fullness, caused by bending the upper over the formerpi's prevented fromextending'beyond the plugs 84, and the upper is tensioned radially at the toe end. 2 I

Meantime, the spring plungers 166' have closed the grippers upon the upper at the tip line and the grippers have been caused to move toward each other by the relative movement ofthe post 20 and the slide 32'. As the former 30 moves upwardly, the compression member 182 is allowed by its-cam to rise with the former ataJower rate',-the

tension of thejspring 214 gradually increasmg as the operation proceedsto hold the upper againstthe former 'with increased force. 7 Thus all danger of bowing. ofthe tip seam because of slip age of th upper toward the toe is avoided, r V

After the slide 32 has been raised sufiiciently to causethe depression of thepieces 76, 82 and the cry of the toe portion, andafter this moveplugs 84, the upperis confined by the ribs 70, '72, 74 about the periphmentof the former 30 is continued gradually to drawthe upper from between the upper Meantime and while. the Q upper is still'lield the'confining'means,

the slide 90 is moved toward the shoe by toward the bottom of the former. When the lel portions 17 lower'or sole face of the former has reached substantially the plane of the lower face of the members 6 1, 66, the machine stops to allo'w'the upper to set in the. shape it has been made to assume. At this time, the mar ginof the upper may or may not have been completely withdrawn from between the upper confining means,fdepending on the size and shape of the upper,-but the upper is held clamped tightly to the former 30 by the contoured faces 65, 67 of the parts 64, 66 and by the grippers 150, 152. After an upper for the right foot has been similarly treated in the right hand side of the machine, the operator again steps on the treadle 16, and thereupon the slidee 32 is dropped slightly to release holding pressure on the margin of the upper if it is still between the confining means, and the movement of the former andof the compressor 182 is continued to iron the upper against the contoured face of the parts .64, 66.

During this movement, the grippers are stationary, the ins 178 being 111 the paralof the slots in the levers 170, 172. As the former 30 approaches its upper limit of movement, the roll 190 engages the cam 192, causing the toggle 188, 189 to be broken outwardly and pressure of the member'182 upon the former to be re leased. 2 The parts now return to initial position and the machine stops with the upper released. r 6 Having thus described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1.;A machine of the class described having, in. combination, means for confining the 7 margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, a former prO ecting above the confining means and arranged for movement to engage the unconfined portion of the upper to-stretch it, and means movable relatively to the former prior to movement of the former for holding the upper at the end of the toe and causing it to be brought down over the end of the former without drawing back or foreshortening prior to its being engaged by the confining means so as to cause the upper to behumped over the former.

2. A machine of the class ing, in combination, means for confining the margin :of theforepart of alshoe'upper, a

described atformer projecting above aconfining face of the confining means and arranged to engage the unconfined portion of the upper to stretch it, and means arranged to receive the toe end of the upper substantially in the plane ofthe top of the former and movable transversely of the upper for humping the upper over therformer prior to the general engagement ofithe confining means with the PP R 3. A machineof the class described having, in combination, means for confining th margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, a former arranged to engage the unconfined portion of the upper to stretch it and to act on the upper during movement of the confining means to confining position, and means operated by movement of the confining means/toward upper confining position for seizing the upper at the toe end and preventing rearward movement thereof during movement of the confining means into upper confining position. I 4. In a machine of theclass described, the combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former, of means for eifecting a longitudinal pull on the upper prior to the action of the confining means. p

5. A machine for shaping uppers preliminary to lasting having, in combination, upper confining means, a former, means for moving the confiningmeansand the former relatively, and means for exerting a longitudinal stretch upon the upper before the confining means becomes operative to confine the margin of the upper.

former, and means for relatively moving the former and the confining means to shape the upper by withdrawing it from the confining means, of means on the confining means for first effecting a longitudinal stretching of the upper. v i r u 7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the former and the confining means to shape the upper by withdrawing it from the confining means, of means tor first effecting a stretching of the upper and then forming a part of the confining means during withdraw-a1 of the upper from the confining means. I is 8." In a machine of the-class described, the combination with upper confining means, a

former, and means for relatively moving the former and the confining means to" shape 7 the upper by withdrawalofit from the confining means, of means arranged to extend beyond. the upper engaging surface of the confining means in position to engage the jurrervfir t a h n -il h i d 0 depressed into the confining means and form apart thereof during the remainder of the upper forming operation.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for confining the margin of an upper, and a former about which the upper is shaped by relative movement of the former and the confining cmeans,'the

confining means being constructed and arthe vamv so, clam ed one oi. said clam in 1 7 b the membersjhavfing a separate toe clamping section resiliently held above the clamping surface of said member in position first to engage the upper at the end of the toe and a arranged for depressionby relativemovement of the clamping members to permit the clamping members to effect clamping of the upper at the sides of the toe. I V g 11. In a machine of the class described, combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former to shape the upper, of a plurality of means for engaging the upper at the end of the toe and eflfecting a longitudinal pull on the upper before the upper is engaged by the confiningimeans. a r p g 12. In a machineof the class described, the combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former to shape theupper, of a plurality of upper engaging members to hold the, upper at the end of the toe, .and spring means for pressing said members into engagement with the upper before it is clamped by the confining means. I 13. In a machine of the class described, the" combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former toshape the upper, of a plurality of upper engaging members toholdithe upperat the end of the toe', saidmembers being arranged both to hold the upper, at first and to give the upper successively as the upper is shaped. 1

14. In a machine of the class described, -.the

combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confin ng means and the former toshape the uppenof a pluralityof upper V-engaging members to holdithe upper at the end of thetoe, and meansfor distributing yieldin'g.pressureb'etween saidmembers and in ach tqien'gage the upper.

1 5. In: a machine of the class described,

the combination with upper confining.

means, a former, and'means for relatively moving the confining means and theformer to shape the upper, of a plurality ofupper V engaging members to hold'theupper at the end of the toe provided with difi'erently formed upper engaging faces to hold the upper with difierent' degrees of security.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former to shape the upper, of a plurality of upper engaging members to hold the upper at the end of the toe, and means for effecting-and distributing unequally the upper holding pressure to said members. 1 r I 17 A machine of the class described having, incombinat'ion, means for confining the margin of the :Eorepart of a shoe upper, a former arranged to engage the-unconfined portion of the upper to stretch it, and a c plurality of yieldingcmeans on the confining means acting to effect a preliminary stretching. of the upper longitudinally, the,

confining means having a rigid .upper engaging portion located between the yielding means and adapted to engage the upper and confine it after yielding of the yielding means.

18. In a machine of'the class described,

the combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former to shape the upper, of means for effecting a pulling on thefupper at a cornerof the toe prior to the action of the confining means.

19. Inamachine of the class described,

the combination with upper confining means,

I105 the former and the confining means to a former, and means for relatively moving shape the upper by withdrawal of: it from the confining means, of means yieldingly mounted in the confining" means and arranged to extend beyond the upper engaging surface of the confining meansin posi-' tion to engage the upper first at the corners of the toe tor-pulling the upper radially of the curve of ,the toe prior to the action of the confining means; i

20. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with upper confining means, a former, and me'ans for relativelyimoving the former and the confining means to shape the upper by withdrawal .of it from the confiningmeans, of .means yieldingly mounted" in the confining meansfand' ar-' ranged to extend beyond theupper engaging surface of the 'confining'means in position to engage the upper at the corners of the toe for pulling the-upper'radially of the curve of the toe and adjacent to-tlie corners of the toe priorto the action of the confining ,means.

. '21; A machine of 'the class described 'hav--' ing,-in combination, means for confining the portion of theupper to stretch it, said upper confining means being constructed,

and arranged to operate duringthe action or? said former first to. engage the upper at the end or the toe, then1to engage the upper at the corners of the toe, and finally to engage the upper continuously about the periphery of the toe. Y

22. A machine for shaping uppers preliminary to lasting-having, in combination; upper confining means comprising members relatively movable to clamp the margin of an upper, a former, means for moving the confining means and the former relatively to cause the upper to be stretched over the former and drawn from the confining means, means operating prior to the confining means for efiectinga longitudinal pull on the upper, and means for exerting a pull on the upper at the corners of the toe.

23. A machine for shaping uppers preliminary to lasting having, in combination, upper confining means comprising members relatively movable to clamp the margin of an upper, a former, means tormoving-the confining means and the former relatively to cause the upper to be stretched over the former and drawn from the confining means, means for efi'ecting alongitudinal pull on the upper, and means actingsubsequently to thelongitudinal pull and prior to the re mainder of the confining means to tension the upper at the corners of the toe.

24. A machine for shaping uppers preliminary to lasting having, in combination, upper confining means having sections successively operative to grip the upper first at the end of the toe, then at the corners of the toe, and finally about the entire toe, and a former between which and the confining means there is relative movement as the upper is thus successively grippedv to tension the upper and Wrap it about the former.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination of relatively moving clamping members for confining the margin of a shoe upper acting first to confine the upper at the end and corners of the toe, then to seize the upper at the tip line, and later to confine the entire margin at the toe, and an inside former between which and the con fining means there is relative movement to shape the upper and to cause the margin of the upper to be drawn through the confining means.

26. A machine oi the class described having, in combination, means for clamping an upper marginally and along the tip seam, and a toe former to stretch the clamped upper, said machine being constructed and arranged first to clamp the upper locally at the end of the toe to efi' ect a longitudinal strain on the upper, and then locally at the corners of the toe to efi'ect astretchin'g radially of the upper, and finally to clamp the upper continuously about the toeend.

27. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with upper confining ,means, a

' former, and means for relatively moving the confining means and the former toshape'the upper, ofmeans for firstefiecting a pulling of the upper at the corners of thetoe and then forminga part of the confining means during withdrawal of the upper from the confining means.

28. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with upper confining means, a former, and means for relatively moving the former and the confining means toshape the upper by withdrawal of it from the confining means, of means yieldingly mounted in the confining means and arranged to extend beyond the upper engaging. surface of the confining meansin position to engage the upper at th corners otthe toe and to be depressedinto the confining means and form.

apart thereof during the remainder ofthe upper forming operation.

29. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for confining the margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, a former arranged to engage the unconfined, portionof the upper to stretch it, resilient means for engaging the upper at the end of the toe, separate resilient means for later.

engaging the upper at the corners of the toe, and rigid means on theconfining .means between the separate resilient means and the former, for finally engaging the upper.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination of relatively moving clamping members for confining the margin of a shoe upper, an inside former between which and the confining means there is relative movement to cause the margin of the upper to be drawn through the confining means, and supplemental gripping means for increasing the tension upon the upper at the corners of the toe. j

81. In a machine of the class described, the combination otmeans for confining the margin of an upper with a' former about which the upper is shaped by relative movement of the former and the confining means, the confining means being constructed with a ribbed surface and the rib having alternate rigid and yielding sections.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for confining the margin of an upper with a former about which the upper is shaped by relative movement of the former and the confining means, the confining means being constructed with a plurality of ribs which ribs have yielding sections interspersed with rigid sections.

83. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for confining the sides of the toe.

margin o-f 'the forepart of; a shoe upper comprising upper and lower confining members, and a former arranged to'engage the unconfinedportion of the upper to stretch it, one of said membershaving ribs arranged parallel with the contourfiof the toe and the ribs being more the toe.

' 34. In a machine of the class described,

numerous about the end of the combination ofmeans for confining the former arranged to, engage the unconfined portionof' the upper to stretch'it, and three I ribs on the confining means arranged in the 2'5 general direction of the contour of the former, the central rib. being shorter than the other ribs and located at the end of the toe so that greater confining effect will be produced at the end of the toe than at the 36. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for confining themargin of the forepart of a shoe upper,

a former arranged to engage the unconfinedportion of the upper to stretch it, and ribs on the confining means arranged radially of the curve of the toe to distribute the fullness of the upper as it passes through 'theconfiningmeans in the upper forming operation.

37. Inv a machine of the class described, the combination of relatively moving clamping membersfor confining the margin of a shoe upper, and an inside former between which and the confining means there is relative movement to cause themargin of. the upper to be drawn through the confining means, the portion of theconfining means which engages the inner face of the upper being-provided with radial ribs to distribute and direct the folding and. tensioning of the upper as it is drawn between thevconfining means.

38. A machine of. the class described having, in combination, means for confining the margin of theforepart of a shoe upper, a former'arranged to engage the unconfined portion'of-the upper torstretch it, and a plurality of ribs arrangedat each side of they center'of the toe to control the folds of 7 upper fullness asthe upper-is drawn from the margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, a toe former-arranged to be forced against the-upper to stretch it, mechanism for operating the confining means and the former, additional means for engaging the upper at each side adjacent to the tip line,'and means for effecting approaching movement of said additional means during the operationof the former. I 7

40. A machine of the class describedhaving, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the Vforepart of a shoe upper, a former movable relatively to the clamping means to stretch the upper, and means acting automatically to move the side edges of the upper toward each'other while the upper is held in clamped position.

41. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the .forep'art of a shoe upper, a

former movable relatively to theclamping 7 means to stretch the upper, and means for moving the side edges of the upper toward each other after the edges of the upper are clamped.

42. A machine of the class. described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a'shoe upper, a former movable relatively to the clamplng means to stretch the upper, operating means constructed and arranged to engage the work over the tip sea1n,.'and cam actuated means to move the outside former at a slower rate" than the inside former to increase the holding pressure between the inside former-and the outside former as the stretching progresses.

4A. A machine-of the class described having, in combination, means to confine the margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, means including an inside former operating to effect shaping of the unconfined portion to the contour of the former and to effect drawing out and shaping of the margin into an upstanding flange, and means operated by closing movement of the confining means for grip pingthe upper margin at the sides of the toe and feeding. it laterally of the toe during the drawingout and shaping of the upper. v

45. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means for clamping the confining means.

margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, a toe former, means for effecting relative movement of said parts to cause clamping of the upper and stretching pressure of the former into the vamp, and means operating automatically for feeding the upper laterally at the tip seam during the action of the toe former. a

46. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, a toe former, means for effecting relative movement of said parts to cause clamping of the upper and stretching pressure of the former into the vamp, and means operating automatically for feeding the upper laterally and toward the toe end during the action of the former.

AL'In a machine of the class described, the combination of relatively moving clamping members for confining the margin of a shoe upper, an inside former between which and the confining means there is relative movement to cause the margin of the upper to be drawn through the confining means,

supplemental means on the confining means for increasing the holding tension on the upper at the end and corners of the toe to draft the upper, and means arranged positively to engage the upper at the tip line and to feed the upper inwardly and forwardly as the upper is drawn from the 48. A machine or the class described hav ing, in combination, means to confine the' margin of the forepart of a shoe upper, means including an inside former operating to effect shaping of the unconfined portion to the'contour of the former and to effect drawing out and shaping of the margin into an upstanding flange, and means for locally gripping the upper margin at the tip seam and feeding it obliquely toward the toe end of the former during the drawing out and shaping of the upper.

49. In a machine of the class described, the combination of relatively moving clamping'members for confining the margin of a shoe upper, an inside former between which and the confining means there is relative movement to cause the margin of the upper to be drawn through the confining means, and grippers for controllingthe formation of the upper at the tip line having toothed upper jaws and smooth lower jaws so that the upper leather will be held more firmly than the lining.

50. In a machine of the class described, the combination of relatively moving clamping members for confining the margin of a shoe upper, an inside former between which andv the confining means there is relative movement to cause the margin of the upper to be drawn through the confining means, and supplemental jaws for holding the upper at the tip line having their gripping.-

ing mechanism constructed and arranged to cause the upper to be clamped between the former and the tip seam clamp and then between the upper confining means and thereafter to cause the former to, shape the unconfined portion of the vamp, said operating mechanism for the tip seam clamp being constructed and arranged to tend to effect movement of the clamp at a less rate than the former is moved, and resilient means between the tip seam clamp and its operating means sothat pressure on the tip seam increases as the forming operation proceeds.

52. A machine for shaping uppers having, in combination, means for confining the margin of an upper, a former, operating mechanism for effecting relative movement "between said confining means and the former to shape the upper over the former, and means co-operating with the former to apply pressure to the upper comprising a power-driven element having a predetermined movement independently of the relative movement between the former and,

the confining means to control said pressure. 53.v A machine for shaping uppers having, in combination, means for confining the margin of an upper, a former, operating mechanism for moving the former relatively to the confining means to shape the upper over the former, a member for engaging the upper and pressing it against'the former, and controlling means for said member comprising mechanism movable relatively to the former to apply increased pressure to the upper through said member in the movement of the former.

- 54. A machine for shaping shoe uppers preliminary to lasting having, in combination, an inside forepart former over which the forepart of the'upper-is to be stretched, means co-operating with the inside former for stretching the upper when the inside former is moved, an outside former confor stretching thenpper when the inside former is moved, an outside former con-' structed and arranged to engage the W01l( .over the top of the toe adjacent tothc tip;

seam, and actuating means tor the outside former including a yielding! element anding, in combination, anropen plate, co-op-H crating member adapted @to confine the margin oi the forepart olia shoe upper noon the plate, a toe former normally occupying: positions projecting partially over the open plate to cause the vamp to be humped over said former when Ii /41S confined means forholding the upper against withdrawal fromthe confining member while is being. con- "lined, means for.v operating the confining member to confine the upper, means vtor operating the former for withdrawing the upper 'l'rom the continino means,'and means for forcing the upper withdrawn from the confining means.

5?. A machine for shaping shoe uppers preparatory to lasting having,'in combination, means for seizing and pulling the maro'fan upper, a :tor'epart foi'mer,'opei'at-" ing mechanism for producing upper shaping movement between. the tormerand the margin holding means, a device co-operating with the forepart"former to press "the.

upper upon the iformerand constructed and arrangedto press upon. the toe in the region of the tip'line, and means for automatically releasing the device and moving it away when the shaping operation is completed.

58; A machine for shaping-shoe uppers preliminary to lasting having, in combina tion, meansl'or holding an-upper margin, an inside former for stretching the upper, an outside compressing member engaging the upper over the tip line, means to operate the inside former to draw the margin from themargin holding means, and tomove the compressing member with the inside former, means to stop the machine with the stool: under tension and compression by the compressing member, means operating when the machine has restarted to releasethe compressing member and move it away f om the inside former, and means for further actuating the inside former to withdraw the upper from the holding means and bend it into an upstanding flange. a

59. A'machine for shaping shoe uppers preliminary to lasting having, in combination, means for holding anupper margin, an inside former for stretching the upper,

an outside compressing member engaging the upper over the tip line, means to *operinstithe iormer to hold the upper about the former atter it is 'move it ai'vay'from the inside former, and

means for further actuating; the inside former to withdraw the upper from the holding means and bend it into. an upstandingflange. V L

66. In: a. machine ofthe class described,- the combination of upper confining means,

a :for1ner,.means for relatively moving the confining-means and the former to Withdraw the upper lrom the confining means and term it into a flange perpendicular tov the l: ottom of-theformer, means for holding the upper clamped to the former about the end andlsides of the form.er,and means for stopping the machine'with the upper so heldto allow-it to set to the shape. into which it has been iormec, said holdingmeans acting when the machine is restarted toiron the upperat the'end ,and, sides of the former toward the bottom of the former.

61,,ln a machine. of the class described, the combination ot'iuppencontlning means,a former, means for relatively movingthe confining means and the former to Withdraw the .upper from the confining-means,

and means acting during the relative move-- ment of the former and the confining means to iron the upper at the sides of thc former toward the rearot the former.

62. In a machine of the class described, the combination of upper confining means, a former, means tor relatively moving the confining means and the vformer to .withdraw the upper from the confining means, and means actingduring a part 0]": the rela tive movement of the former and the confining means to press the upperat the end of the toe against the former and acting continuously to press the upper against the sides of the former. '1 r Q i 63. In a machine of the class described, the combination or upper confining, means, a former, means for relatively moving the confining means and the former to with .draw the 'upper'i rom the confining means, and means acting during the relative movement of the former and'the confining means to press the upper at the end and sides of the toe against the end and sides of the tormeiythe side pressure being eflected independently of the end pressure.

6a. In a machine of the class described, the combination of upper confining means, a former, means for relatively moving the confining means and the former partially: I

to withdraw the upper from theiconfining means, and'means engaging the inner side 65. in a machine of the-class described,

the combination of upper confining means,

a former, means for relatively moving the confining means and the former partially to withdraw the upper from the confining means,'and a series of teeth pro]ecting above the surface of the former to engage the inner side of the upper when the upper is pressed against it by the operator and prevent theupper from being drawn forwardly during the operation of forming theupper. 66. in a machine for shapinguppers offv the last, the combination with a former over which to shape the toe end portion of an upper, of means for wiping the upper over the upper shaping surface of the former between the bottom and the top of the former, and means for engaging the top of the forepart of 'the upper and pressing it against the former as the upper is wiped over the former.

67. In a machine for shaping uppers off the last, the combination with a former over which to shape the toe end portion of an upper, of means for wiping the upper over the upper shaping surface of the former in the direction of the height of the former, a clamp member for engaging the upper and pressing it against the former, and means automatically operative to increase the clamping pressure of said member on the upper as the wiping operation proceeds.

68. In a machine for shaping uppers off 7 the last, the combination with a former over which to shape the toe end portion of an upper, of means for embracing the upper about the former and wiping it heightwise of the former over the upper shaping surface of the former, operating means for moving the former relatively to said wiping means to Wipe the upper, and a spring controlled member movable with the former and arranged to engage the top of the fore part of the upper and press it against the former in the wiping operation.

69. In a machine for shaping uppers ofl' the last, the combination with a former over which to shape the toe end portion of an upper, of means for clamping the marginal portion of the upper round the toe, operating means for efiecting relative movement of the clamping means and the former to draw the upper over the former, additional means automatically operative in such relative movement of the clamping means and the former to wipe the upper heightwise of the former over the upper shaping surface of the former, and means for engagingthe upper and pressing it against the former to assist-in Y holding the upper against displacement the upper is shaped over the former.

15 a machine for 'shaping uppers off the last, the combination with a former over which tolshape the toe end. portion of an;

upper, of means for clamping the marginal portion of the upperround the toe,u-operating means for moving the former relatively V to said clamping means to draw the upper over the former, additional means auto-v matically operative inrsuch movement of the former to wipe the upper over the upper shaping surface of the former, and a member movable withthe former and arranged to engage the top of the forepart of the upper and press it against the former as the upperis shaped overtheiformer.

71. In a machine for shaping the end of a shoe'upper olf the last into the form it is tohave in the'finished shoe, the combination of a former, means for confining marginal portions of the upper with the upper in operative relation to the former, means for relatively moving the former and the confining means heightwise of the former to lay the upper about the former, and means automatically conformable to the shape of the former for'workin'g the upper heightwise of the former by pressure applied to the upper aboutthe end of the former as the upper is being laid about the former.

72.1n a machine for shaping the end moving the former and the supporting means to laythe upper about the former, and yielding end embracing means acting to conform the upper to the shape pre scribed by the former and to work the upper heightwise of the former by pressure applied to the upper about the end of the former as the former and supportingmeans are moved relatively.

73. In a machine for shaping uppers, the

combination of mea'nsfor seizing the margin of an'upper, a forepart former, means for effecting-relative positive movement between the seizing means and the former to shape the upper, means for clamping the upper against the former including resilient means, and additional means operated in conjunction with the relative movement of the seizing means and former for Varying the compression of the resilient means during the forming operation to control the pressure of the clamping means upon the work. 7

74. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for confining the margin of the forepart ofa shoe vamp, a

*vaI'np former arranged for movement relatively to the confining means to engage the 'unconfinedportion of the'vamp and shape 1 it, a clamp tovhold the upper against the V former during movement of the former and movable therewith, a spring aeting to hold the'clamp against the former; and connections'for automatically bontrolling the tension ofthe spring during movement of the former. 1-, g

In testimony whereof I havesigned my name-tothis specification. V

MATTHIAS B ocK; 

